54 Sweet and Healthier Valentine's Day Treats

According to the Census Bureau, Americans ate 24.3 pounds of candy per capita in 2009, and at least part of that was consumed on and around Valentine's Day. With boxes of chocolate so easily accessible--and so many varieties to try (just a nibble won't hurt!)--it's easy to see how the calories and empty wrappers add up. (That could amount to more than 10 pounds of extra weight a year!)

We're here to keep you and your sweetie in tip-top shape this Valentine's Day. We surveyed members and the SparkPeople team and compiled a list of better-for-you sweet treats, including several that are either calorie-free or will burn calories. I present to you the good, the "bad" and the chocolate-y!

This one from ARIZONAMARY was my favorite: One year we were beyond broke. I made 50 hearts out of construction paper (see below!) & hand wrote a different reason I loved him on each heart. I got a glass jar with hearts on it from the thrift store & filled it with the hearts. Now 10 years into our marriage, he still has it... along with the hearts inside.

As a mom of five boys, I don't ask for chocolate, flowers, or jewelry. I ask that each of us hand-made cards and list a few reasons we love each other on the card. After dinner, we read the cards to each other. I always feel like the most loved, richest woman in the world on Valentine's! I have years of cards saved; it truly is a treasure!

A hiking trip, weather permitting! My boyfriend and I have a book of "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles" and plan on doing as many as we can. If we lived in a warmer climate, we'd have done some already... but that's what spring, summer, and fall are for.

An indoor picnic--blanket on the floor, music playing, healthy food and drink.

If someone gave me Dum dums I'd have to hit them! I too thought Panera Bread instead of Pandora Bead. LOL. Many of the chocolate ones are great. Our local Chocolatier makes chocolate covered raspberries and grapes. You keep them in the refrigerator or freezer. I love them more than Chocolate covered strawberries. - 1/23/2015 9:35:25 AM

We don't observe Valentine's Day specifically, as we believe we should be expression our love all year around... So it is fun to surprise each other with little treats. One of our favorites is Chocolove bars https:// www.chocolove.com which come in a wide variety of flavors. I haven't tried every single flavor but I sure enjoy trying the ones that I have tried so far (Mint, Almonds, Chili, Caramel with Sea Salt, Almonds With Sea Salt, Toffee, I don't remember all. Each bar is wrapped in a luxurious gold foiled paper. The best part is under the label wrap: a printed copy of one of the (usually public domain) romantic love poems from previous centuries. It's probably a little too old school for some, but if you or your loved one likes chocolate and poetry, this is a pleasant surprise. I find them at our local health food stores (Green Acres Market & Deli, Nature's Grocers, etc.
- 1/27/2014 12:26:47 AM

Love the list of ideas!! Especially, a diamond for each pound I want to lose. LOL!! I would be dripping in diamonds. I'm gonna try the sugar free dipped strawberries and probably do the heart jar. I'm not a very creative person but when my daughter was in school, we always handmade her cards for classmates. My favorite cards ones we made with pink or red construction paper. We cut them into hearts and used a heart shape doily glued on top of the paper. The we attached one piece of candy and a pencil or pen to the heart. They were a huge hit.
- 2/13/2011 11:47:43 PM

I love the ideas people posted like the heartshaped meatloaf I am single so may go to a singles valentine bash but if I feel like catching up on DVD's that would be just fine with me lol ENJOY the love of God, friends and family everyday of your life!
- 2/12/2011 10:31:55 AM

Because my husband's birthday is Jan. 31st, and mine falls three days later on Feb. 1st, we usually feel pretty celebrated out by Valentine's Day! We may give cards, we go to dinner, but it's really not a big deal to us.
- 2/11/2011 6:23:58 AM

We've become a society "revolving" holidays around food. How about planning a special activity for either you & spouce or for all the family? Homemade cards also pull at my heart strings, more thought & time goes into those, than just stopping at the shop to purchase a card. I too, still put out a card I made my husband & sons over 28 years ago. That alone, starts our day out special.
- 2/10/2011 9:41:05 PM

Make heart shaped meatloaf. Use ketchup to write, "I Love You". Place the meatloaf on a platter and use mashed potatoes to make an arrow, green peas could be added for the tip of the arrow, corn for the feathers.
- 2/10/2011 9:34:46 PM

My daughter and her boyfriend are home from college for the weekend, so my son and his GF are coming over for dinner Saturday night. This is when we are celebrating Valentines Day. I am making a vegetable fetticine and my husband will cook either salmon or cod. Then we will play games and watch movies. And I am trying the recipe for the pineapple and mandarin organge cake that of got off SP.
- 2/10/2011 1:53:49 PM

we like to go out for a nice 4 course dinner- portions are small at nicer restaurants, and the food is better and worth savoring. No Maggianos or Macaroni Grill for us, thank you!
- 2/10/2011 11:05:29 AM

I first read Panera Bread instead of Pandora bead too! Love the idea from ArizonaMary as my favorite. Hope you don't mind me copying you - this will be my gift to my teenage son. Thank you for sharing so many great ideas!
- 2/10/2011 9:30:12 AM

Great ideas. However, I know my mind isn't in the Spark frame of mind when I read "Panera bread" instead of "Pandora bead" and am more excited about getting the bread than the bead.
- 2/10/2011 6:01:32 AM

Stick these little fruit stickers on the apples and bananas in the fruit bowl for your sweetie to find... what a cute idea, and of course healthy! (I printed mine out on normal paper and just cut them out... I couldn't wait til Valentine's Day!)

My 14-month-old's daycare sent out notes a couple days ago asking for all the parents to bring a bag of candy for the kids to exchange on Valentine's day. I've asked them over and over again to lay off the sweets, but they've never listened. To appease my indignation, I took a box of mini-packs of Cheddar Goldfish. My husband said, "Don't be that mom!" but I will -- if I can't stop them from what they do, I can at least lessen the impact they have on the kids.
- 2/9/2011 10:44:35 PM

Dark chocolate covered almonds sounds like heaven to me! How about adding that to the list!

Also, I agree that love should be celebrated every day of the year, but Valentine's day just gives the celebration such a touch of romance... it kinda sets the mood... so why not take advantage of the day! =)
- 2/9/2011 4:25:38 PM

There are some chocolate dipped strawberries recipes on Sparkrecipes.com - don't know about sugar free though.

I've been making a giant heart-shaped cookie for each kid for the last 10 or so years. I'll do that again this year; even though they're adults they love the few traditions we have. Hubby gets store-bought but good quality chocolate or nuts. I love the acai berry dark chocolate from Purdy's!
- 2/9/2011 8:26:05 AM

In England in my youth we never, ever signed Valentine cards. A bit like American secret Santas I guess. I was 19 years young when I got my first and only boxed valentine card from my present DH. Now still my darlingDH of 47 years. When we came to the US for 2 years when I was 21 I brought that card with me. Box and all in my suitcase. Every year I get it out and put in on display then back it goes to the next year. DH buys me a card and I love it but never will any other card be so special to me as that one is. Pat in Maine. That will be a good blog.
- 2/9/2011 8:17:32 AM

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